Ian Nicholson from Beaulieu Wills and Estate Planning writes for Phoenix FM:

I am sure you will remember, at the end of my last blog I was hoping that I would still be here to write the next one, because I had agreed to do something I’d said I’d never do… A SKYDIVE! Haven’s Hospices had somehow convinced me to jump out of a perfectly good airplane from 13,000 ft to help raise much needed funds.

Well as you can see from the picture, and the fact I am writing this, that all went extremely well. In fact, it was a thrilling and exhilarating experience. From start to finish the guys at Beccles Skydivers were skilled and professional, and made even the most nervous first timer totally at home! If you fancy a go just check out their site www.ukparachuting.co.uk

I also did a follow up interview with Phoenix FM’s Stewart Pink about it and you can listen to that here: Ian Nicholsons Extreme Will Writing

As I am writing this, I can confirm that I have already raised just over £1,500. If you can spare a few pennies, my Just Giving page is still open and all funds will be gratefully received now I am back on terra-firma! Ian Nicholson is fundraising for Havens Hospices (justgiving.com)

As I was freefalling (at 120mph for 50 seconds) it got me thinking just how many times we put stuff off, but when we have done it, we think ‘Now why on earth didn’t I do that sooner?’. I can obviously relate that to when I speak to people about doing their Wills or Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA).

So many people provide every reason in the book not to look at doing them. Sometimes there are genuine reasons (for example if they really do not know who to leave things to), but for the most part it is for one reason, and one reason only:

‘I don’t want to think about it!’

Now there is nothing wrong in that at all. In my very first blog I stated that hardly anyone sits around the dinner table and out of the blue says, ‘Let us talk about when I die’. It really is the Unspeakable Conversation. But it is something that at some stage in our lives we all must address, head on!

I guess what my parachute jump reminded me was that whatever it is we fear, however much it scares us, if we address it head on and sort it, it is over before we know it, and of course we then never have to think about it again. Though I will at this point add that you do not have to jump out of a plane for me to sort out your Wills or LPA’s.

Just give me an hour or your time, and within 48 hours you will have your draft documents. Soon after that, your forms will be signed and up and running. And you can get back to not thinking about it. It really is that simple, and unlike skydiving there is absolutely no risk to life!

As always you can check out my website at www.bwep.uk, look at my Facebook page @bwepuk, drop me an email to ian.nicholson@bwep.uk or phone me for a confidential chat on 01277 562567.

For now, stay safe and ensure you have a firm footing for your future!